Eight Words: Our Attitude Towards Life (Revised Edition)

Author Park Woong-hyun · Publisher Inti N · Published 2023-06-15 · ISBN 9791197977046

About the Book

Park Woong-hyun, Korea's leading advertiser and humanities speaker,
talks about eight topics to consider for life
『Eight Words』, revisited in a new form

『Eight Words』 is a book in which Park Woong-hyun, Korea's leading advertiser and author of 『Books are an Axe』 and 『Again, Books are an Axe』, explores 'topics of life that are good to think about at some point in life' in eight words. This book is based on the author's lecture given to about 20 people in their twenties and thirties in the fall of 2012, and since its publication in 2013, it has sold over 500,000 copies, establishing itself as a bestseller and longseller. At the time, what the author told the young people he met in the lecture was about their attitude and direction toward life. Park Woong-hyun divided this into eight themes: 'Self-esteem, Essence, Classics, Perception (見), Present, Authority, Communication, and Life,' but all the stories are connected and ultimately lead to the question, "What will be the center of life and what attitude will one live with?"

The reissued 『Eight Words』 has undergone changes in its cover, which embodies the message of 'looking into oneself through eight words and finding the star within oneself,' as well as its format and internal illustrations. It also reflects changes in the author's thoughts over the past 10 years and adds new examples. Above all, it focused on preserving only the essence that will not change over time. As a result, although there have been major and minor changes in the book's appearance and content, the core of the stories the author shared based on his experiences is still valid today. Stories ranging from 'You should look at what's inside you, not outside,' 'Reasons to value essence,' 'The power of classics whose value is recognized unchangingly over time,' 'The importance of looking deeply,' 'Reasons to focus on the present moment,' 'Reasons why communication is important and how to communicate well,' and 'Tips for living a good life' are topics that are worth reconsidering in life, regardless of era or generation.

“The answer is right now, in my life here.” (p. 43)
“No matter what kind of media consumer you are, ultimately, moving people means moving their hearts. It's sincerity, it's essence.” (p. 57)
“Admitting that another's answer cannot be my answer. This is the biggest reason why we should focus on the present.” (p. 161)
“If I give meaning to every moment, my life becomes a meaningful life.” (p. 172)
“A life lived to the fullest is beautiful, and there is no such thing as a separate beautiful life.” (p. 269)

The enduring power of eight words over time
“Everything changes, but nothing changes.
What is it that we must essentially hold onto?”

Since its publication in 2013, 『Eight Words』 has topped the bestseller list in the humanities section of all online bookstores and has received praise from major media outlets. It was selected as a recommended book for executives and employees of companies such as SK and Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance and was chosen as the book of the year by several local governments. However, as the author said, "It received overflowing love from readers. It is an amazing and overwhelming thing to be grateful for." In fact, even now, many readers at the author's lectures or on social media cite 『Eight Words』 as their life book. You can find comments such as "Through this book, I was able to look back at myself and move forward," "I look at it whenever I'm having a hard time," "It's good to re-read anytime," "I want my children to read it," "It would have been good to read when I was in my twenties," and "I raised my child using 『Eight Words』 instead of a parenting book." Even now, there are many cases where people read 『Eight Words』 together and share their thoughts through various reading groups, big and small. These reactions from readers prove the unchanging power and weight of 『Eight Words』 over time.

The author still urges readers to accept his story as merely one opinion. Throughout the book, he says, "Life is not so trivial that it can be changed by a few lectures or a few books," so "I hope that you will look at what is inside you, respect your choices, and make those choices your answers." It is a book filled with unchanging life wisdom that must be read at least once for a rich and happy life, no matter how much time passes.

“Life does not flow in the direction I thought it would. But it can be excellent. The answer is not only in the direction I thought. The answer is in all directions. I should focus on every moment.” - p. 254

Table of Contents

Added to the Reissue
Author's Note | Our Attitude Towards Life

Lecture 1 ― Self-esteem (自尊) Finding the Star Within You
Lecture 2 ― Essence (本質) Everything Changes But Nothing Changes
Lecture 3 ― Classics (古典) Classic, the Solid Fortress of the Soul
Lecture 4 ― Perception (見) About the Greatness of This Word
Lecture 5 ― Present (現在) Live Like a Dog
Lecture 6 ― Authority (權威) Do Not Succumb to Authority You Do Not Agree With, Do Not Obey Unreasonable Authority
Lecture 7 ― Communication (疏通) The Power of Words to Move Hearts
Lecture 8 ― Life (人生) Like a Dandelion Seed Carried by the Wind, Sprouting Where It Lands